Why I Cannot Support Judge Gorsuch

As Montana’s Senator, one of my most important responsibilities is to advise and consent on Supreme Court nominees.

I took my time with this process because I believe the Supreme Court is too important to play politics with and this decision was not easy, it came with thoughtful deliberation, late nights, and the counsel of thousands of Montanans.

After meeting with Judge Gorsuch face-to-face, giving him a fair hearing, and reviewing his qualifications, I cannot support the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch.

Judge Gorsuch is a smart man but that doesn’t make him right for a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court.

I cannot support a nominee who refuses to answer important questions.

With Judge Gorsuch on the bench, I am deeply concerned that dark money will continue to drown out the voices and votes of citizens, the Court will stand between women and their doctors, and the government will reach into the private lives of law-abiding Americans.

These are not Montana values.

Lawyers with degrees from Ivy League schools often get good at dodging questions.

But a Judge cannot hide from his opinions.

Over the years, Judge Gorsuch gave corporations the same Constitutional rights as a nurse from Plentywood, a teacher from Kalispell, or a farmer from Fort Benton.

In the controversial Sebelius v. Hobby Lobbydecision, he ruled that a corporation can have religious beliefs just like people.

When it comes to the letter of the law, he believes corporations are people.

If that were true, then I invite Wells Fargo out to my farm to spend a few long days picking rock in the fields.